A demonstration took place in London following news that the Conservative party would be calling on the Democratic Unionist Party to create the required majority in Parliament. Fears that the DUP would be given the chance to promote their extreme views brought out protesters from LGBT and women’s rights groups, with further demonstrators against racism and austerity adding to the numbers. After rallying on Parliament Square many of the protesters marched on Downing Street.

As part of cost cutting measures a proposal by the Conservative government is threatening to downgrade the A&E facilities at both Southend and Chelmsford hospitals, centralising the 999 service at Basildon hospital. Locals are worried that the additional distance will impact patient survivability for serious cases. Protesters marched up Southend High Street and gathered in Victoria Circus to listen to various speakers, including local candidates Ashley Dalton (Lab), Peter Gwizdala (Lib Dem) and Ron Woodley (Ind). The Conservative party sent a spokesman to read a prepared speech which wasn’t well received by the audience. As if to highlight the issue an ambulance had to be called to attend to one of the protestors who collapsed, the speed of arrival of which – from Southend hospital – didn’t go without mention!

Protesters gathered under the statue of Simon Bolivar in Belgrave Square, Belgravia, demonstrating against the actions of ‘dictator’ Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela and in memory of fellow protesters killed in that country.

Held in solidarity with protesters in Madrid, a protest was held in London against bullfighting and all forms of cruelty against animals. The demonstration gathered in Marble Arch where two of its members splattered themselves in fake blood, before the group proceeded to march to the Spanish embassy in Belgrave Square. Speakers included Jordi Casamitjana from the League Against Cruel Sports.

A march took place in London demonstrating against racism on UN Anti-Racism Day, which including groups against Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, ‘Stand Up to Trump’, ‘defend EU migrants’, ‘Black Lives Matter’, ‘Defend Free Movement’ and ‘No to the Muslim Ban’. The march passed a group of Britain First members behind a police cordon. A number of singers closed the day’s event representing ‘Love Music Hate Racism’.

Another of the protests against the planned state visit to the UK by Donald Trump, his travel ban executive order, Brexit, austerity and other far right trends took place on Parliament Square outside the Houses of Parliament to coincide with the debate on Article 50 by the House of Lords. Speakers included Diane Abbott MP, whose appearance triggered a protest from one member of the crowd that required the intervention of stewards. The event otherwise passed off peacefully.